From the Liveblog of
Monday, April 1, 2024
Germany to redesign soccer uniform over similarity to SS symbol
The design for the number four on Germany’s national team shirts will be changed over concerns that the number ’44’ resembled the symbol used by Nazi ‘SS’ units, the German Football Association (DFB) says.
The new kit, launched before Germany host the European Championship in June and July, debuted during their 2-0 friendly win over France last month.
The German FA (DFB) will change the number 44 design of their new kit after fans and media raised its resemblance to the symbol used by Nazi SS units in the World War II era.
Here's the full story ????
No Germany player is expected to wear a number 44 jersey as the team's shirts… pic.twitter.com/4UZHkrRWl8
— DW Sports (@dw_sports) April 1, 2024
“The DFB checks the numbers 0-9 and then submits the numbers 1-26 to UEFA for review. None of the parties involved saw any proximity to Nazi symbolism in the creation process of the jersey design,” the DFB says in a statement on X.
“Nevertheless, we take the comments very seriously and do not want to provide a platform for discussions… we will develop an alternative design for the number 4 and coordinate it with UEFA.”
